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"Before, During, After, Now....." - devona
To start my story....We Winter in Tennessee and Summer in Michigan.
The Before—On June 27, 2019 I stepped in a hole in a parking lot in South Haven, Michigan and broke the two major bones in my ankle. This required major surgery to include plates and screws. Thank goodness, several months before, I started Pennie’s fitness class which, according to the doctors helped me to withstand what would be my recovery. It gave me the strength and balance I would need.
The During— I contacted Pennie to give her an update on my accident. She provided me with positive coaching to include that I could and should continue exercises for glutes, arms, upper body and abs. Although I developed complications that delayed our return to Tennessee, we continued phone contact. She continued to give me encouragement and stressed that I continue with the exercises which I did.
The After— After 3 surgeries, I finally returned to Tennessee in February of 2020 to face unlimited physical therapy and the use of a walker. I could not put full weight on my ankle yet. Pennie encouraged me to come to class anyway. I attended and Pennie and my dear fellow classmates helped me to modify some of the exercises and routines. The doctors and my physical therapists have commented several times how far I have come with my mobility and to keep doing what I was doing. I feel that going to fitness class has been the key. It helps me with memory, balance, cardio and joint mobility. Its fun to be with other people that give me encouragement and thrive to have a healthy lifestyle as well.
The Now—Because of the pandemic, we are safe at home. That did not stop Pennie. She adapted her class so that we could still come together four days a week using Zoom! She has added more breathing and balance techniques which I notice has helped me personally. The other stretches and routines continue to help me with my recovery as well. Now, even with the uncertainty of being paid, Pennie continues to coach and laugh with us. What a gal!
The chats at the beginning and end of each session sharing our thoughts, brings us together in this time of stress. It’s made me realize how much I value being healthy, having fun and just how much we need each other to be and stay healthy.
Thank you Pennie. You inspire all of us!
DeVona
To start my story....We Winter in Tennessee and Summer in Michigan.
The Before—On June 27, 2019 I stepped in a hole in a parking lot in South Haven, Michigan and broke the two major bones in my ankle. This required major surgery to include plates and screws. Thank goodness, several months before, I started Pennie’s fitness class which, according to the doctors helped me to withstand what would be my recovery. It gave me the strength and balance I would need.
The During— I contacted Pennie to give her an update on my accident. She provided me with positive coaching to include that I could and should continue exercises for glutes, arms, upper body and abs. Although I developed complications that delayed our return to Tennessee, we continued phone contact. She continued to give me encouragement and stressed that I continue with the exercises which I did.
The After— After 3 surgeries, I finally returned to Tennessee in February of 2020 to face unlimited physical therapy and the use of a walker. I could not put full weight on my ankle yet. Pennie encouraged me to come to class anyway. I attended and Pennie and my dear fellow classmates helped me to modify some of the exercises and routines. The doctors and my physical therapists have commented several times how far I have come with my mobility and to keep doing what I was doing. I feel that going to fitness class has been the key. It helps me with memory, balance, cardio and joint mobility. Its fun to be with other people that give me encouragement and thrive to have a healthy lifestyle as well.
The Now—Because of the pandemic, we are safe at home. That did not stop Pennie. She adapted her class so that we could still come together four days a week using Zoom! She has added more breathing and balance techniques which I notice has helped me personally. The other stretches and routines continue to help me with my recovery as well. Now, even with the uncertainty of being paid, Pennie continues to coach and laugh with us. What a gal!
The chats at the beginning and end of each session sharing our thoughts, brings us together in this time of stress. It’s made me realize how much I value being healthy, having fun and just how much we need each other to be and stay healthy.
Thank you Pennie. You inspire all of us!
DeVona
thanks, devona, and you've been such an inspiration to all of us! Thanks for sharing.
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"... I know firsthand that it’s good for my health." - margie
Early April is when my doctor checks my cholesterol and blood pressure. I’ve been on cholesterol meds before but they made my legs hurt. My doctor reduced my dosage and my number did go down to 200, but my legs hurt the whole time. When I got off the meds, my cholesterol went back up to the 230’s.
Last year, I was expecting bad numbers because I hadn’t been eating well. So I was surprised when he said my cholesterol had come down seven points. The only thing I could think of was that I had just started exercising in Pennie‘s class at Anytime Fitness a couple of months prior. I asked the doctor to give me a year before putting me back on meds. He agreed.
So this year for my annual doctor visit, we were both thrilled to see my cholesterol had gone from 232 to 195, with my LDL dropping from 124 to 84. And my blood pressure was great!
I really enjoy our class, it’s fun and motivational. And I know firsthand that it’s good for my health.
Last year, I was expecting bad numbers because I hadn’t been eating well. So I was surprised when he said my cholesterol had come down seven points. The only thing I could think of was that I had just started exercising in Pennie‘s class at Anytime Fitness a couple of months prior. I asked the doctor to give me a year before putting me back on meds. He agreed.
So this year for my annual doctor visit, we were both thrilled to see my cholesterol had gone from 232 to 195, with my LDL dropping from 124 to 84. And my blood pressure was great!
I really enjoy our class, it’s fun and motivational. And I know firsthand that it’s good for my health.
Margie, you are a perfect example of taking control of your own health,
in partnership with your physician!
in partnership with your physician!
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"... no need to have therapy." - bev
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After a recent procedure on my shoulder (bone spurs and arthritis), my orthopedic surgeon of 20 years said if I continue to my regular fitness class and daily exercises at home, there would be no need to have therapy. Six weeks after the procedure I had a shoulder evaluation and was told my recovery was remarkable and everything was great. This saves me 2-3 visits to Therapy which is 4.5 hours a week, my costs plus the cost to health insurance.
Thanks to Pennie and Anytime Fitness Farragut! |
Thanks, Bev, but it’s all you! Ladies and gentlemen, this is what an active lifestyle looks like!
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Great awareness, Carol!
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"An interesting encounter"
- Barb
BARB
"While driving out of the subdivision of my son's neighborhood in Huntsville, AL, I caught a glimpse of someone in trouble from the corner of my eye. An elderly woman was lying on the ground with another person kneeling beside her.
The lady on the ground (Mrs. E) had been working in her garden and had fallen. Her petite neighbor was attempting to get her up. We decided to try together to lift her, but the neighbor was pulling on one arm. I asked her to stop while I positioned myself behind Mrs. E. I asked the neighbor to stand by as I hooked my arms under the fallen lady's armpits. I dug my feet into the ground and pushed with my thighs, trying to pull her up. IT WAS NOT EASY, but she started moving and setting her feet under her as I stood her up. The neighbor wanted to know what to do and I asked her to give Mrs. E something to hang onto. She offered a long handled digging tool and Mrs. E grabbed it to steady herself.
After all was said and done, I drove away thinking, "how did I do that???" Mrs. E is 91 years old and considerably larger than I am. I can only attribute the needed strength to my regular participation in Pennie's fitness class. I would never have the ability to do that if I hadn't been working out with the hips of Anytime Fitness." 😊💪 - barb Fall, 2019
The lady on the ground (Mrs. E) had been working in her garden and had fallen. Her petite neighbor was attempting to get her up. We decided to try together to lift her, but the neighbor was pulling on one arm. I asked her to stop while I positioned myself behind Mrs. E. I asked the neighbor to stand by as I hooked my arms under the fallen lady's armpits. I dug my feet into the ground and pushed with my thighs, trying to pull her up. IT WAS NOT EASY, but she started moving and setting her feet under her as I stood her up. The neighbor wanted to know what to do and I asked her to give Mrs. E something to hang onto. She offered a long handled digging tool and Mrs. E grabbed it to steady herself.
After all was said and done, I drove away thinking, "how did I do that???" Mrs. E is 91 years old and considerably larger than I am. I can only attribute the needed strength to my regular participation in Pennie's fitness class. I would never have the ability to do that if I hadn't been working out with the hips of Anytime Fitness." 😊💪 - barb Fall, 2019
way to go, barb!
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"I decided a couple of months ago to stop eating sweets: cookies, pie, cake, candy, ice cream, etc. I know there is sugar in some foods (ketchup for example) but decided not to worry about that thinking that if I could eliminate excess sugar in the form of candy and baked goods, I would be way ahead of the game.
here are some things that helped me to do this:
- Kathy
here are some things that helped me to do this:
- I had to be sure i was ready to make a change. I did it for myself, for my own reasons - not for anyone else.
- I made the decision once - now I don't have to make it again every time someone offers me something I have already decided not to have, so I just politely say "no thank you."
- when I made the decision to eliminate sweets from my life, I was very specific about what was included in the decision. this helps me when I am faced with choices. I know what I can and can't have.
- I enlisted the help of a good friend and my husband. they will not offer me the things I don't want to have, and my husband has minimized the sweets he brings into the house. however, this is my decision - not his. so he has the right to eat whatever he wants in this regard.
- I talked with a fitness friend about this and about why I made this decision. that discussion helped me clarify and cement the decision in my own mind. and I don't want to disappoint her by messing up!
- if you mess up (and you will) don't give up! I forgive myself and go forward and make a better decision next time.
- the first days were the hardest - especially the first 3 days. trust me, it does get easier!"
- Kathy
Kathy, you've tied awareness with a plan. excellent!
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lesley |
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ivy |
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june |
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Sonia & evie |
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juli
Pennie,
I wanted to thank you for getting me back into exercising on a regular basis. Your class was fun and at just the right pace to remind me that exercise is essential to good health at any age. You were ever supportive, positive and caring of every member of your class. As you know, I have begun a more rigorous routine now that my body has told me it is ready. Thanks, again, for the boost!
Anytime fitness member (dec. 2017)
I wanted to thank you for getting me back into exercising on a regular basis. Your class was fun and at just the right pace to remind me that exercise is essential to good health at any age. You were ever supportive, positive and caring of every member of your class. As you know, I have begun a more rigorous routine now that my body has told me it is ready. Thanks, again, for the boost!
Anytime fitness member (dec. 2017)